Consequentialism vs. Deontological Ethics.
In the Deep Space Nine episode "In the Pale Moonlight," was
Captain Sisko justified in using less-then-honorable means to bring
the Romulans into the war with the Dominion in order to end the war
and save lives? Or were Sisko's actions unjustified because they
violated universally valid moral rules and principles?
In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary
Fruhling analyze "In the Pale Moonlight" from the contrasting
ethical theories of consequentalist ethics (or utilitarianism) and
deontological ethics (or rule-based ethics). Mike and Zachary
consider the applicability of different forms of consequentialism,
such as Jeremy Bentham's quantitative approach to utilitarianism,
John Start Mill's more qualitative approach to utilitarianism, and
rule utilitarianism as a middle-ground between ethics emphasizing
consequences and ethics emphasizing rules.
This episode of Meta Treks covers the crucial concepts of
deontological/Kantian ethics, such as Kant's Categorical
Imperative, the notion that some actions are intrinsically right or
wrong regardless of consequences, and treating others as ends in
themselves and not merely as means to your own ends. Mike and
Zachary wrap up the conversation with a discussion of whether the
justification for the Prime Directive is chiefly consequentialist
or whether the Prime Directive, as the Federation's highest law or
rule, is grounded in the intrinsic worth of the natural development
of other worlds and cultures.
Chapters
Welcome to Episode 6 (00:01:06)
Discussing the CBS Star Trek Announcement (00:02:22)
Introducing the Topic (00:15:10)
Consequentialism (00:16:40)
Example - In The Pale Moonlight (00:19:31)
Utilitarianism (00:32:09)
Deontological Ethics (00:44:00)
Kantian Ethics (00:44:40)
The Categorical Imperative (00:49:00)
The Prime Directive (01:05:38)
Rule Utilitarianism (01:10:05)
Virtue Based Ethics (01:17:46)
Final Thoughts (01:20:06)
Production
Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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